Organ donor management in Canada: recommendations
of the forum on Medical Management to Optimize Donor
Organ Potential
Sam D. Shemie, Heather Ross, Joe Pagliarello, Andrew J. Baker, Paul D. Greig, Tracy Brand, Sandra
Cockfield, Shaf Keshavjee, Peter Nickerson, Vivek Rao, Cameron Guest, Kimberly Young,
Christopher Doig; on behalf of the Pediatric Recommendations Group
I n collaboration with the Canadian Critical Care Society,
the Canadian Association of Transplantation and the
Canadian Society of Transplantation, the Canadian
Council for Donation and Transplantation (CCDT) spon-
sored a forum entitled “Medical Management to Optimize
Donor Organ Potential,” 23–25 Feb. 2004, to develop guide-
lines and recommendations for organ donor management
in Canada. Discussions were restricted to the interval of care
that begins with neurological determination of death
(NDD), commonly called “brain death,” and consent to or-
gan donation, and culminates in surgical organ procure-
ment. This period presents a significant opportunity to en-
hance multi-organ function and improve organ utilization.
The forum was the first structured, cooperative assembly
of health professionals in the fields of critical care and trans-
plantation and can be viewed as a landmark event in Canada.
End-of-life care in the intensive care unit (ICU) includes all ef-
forts to actualize the desire and opportunity to donate organs.
The evolving collaboration to establish best donor manage-
ment practices in the ICU and operating room must be ac-
companied by efforts to ensure optimum organ utilization. In
turn, improving the use of organs must be linked with im-
proving transplant graft and patient outcomes.
Forum overview
Therapies to protect organs rely on expert clinical manage-
ment to increase the number of eligible donors and optimize
organ function for the purposes of transplantation. Experts
involved in this forum focused on 2 key areas:
• How to achieve optimum donor organ physiology
• How to increase the number of potential donors whose or-
gans are suitable for donation, increase the number of or-
gans transplanted per donor, improve graft function, graft
survival and patient survival and identify and explore logistic
challenges in the period from NDD to organ procurement.
This initiative did not address related challenges, such as the
consent process, post-procurement organ perfusion and
preservation or surgical retrieval team logistics.
DOI:10.1503/cmaj.045131
The objectives of the forum were
• To review and benchmark existing national and interna-
tional practices, guidelines and policies related to donor
organ management, including organ-protective therapies
(sources included articles and reports in the basic science
and clinical literature; regional, national and international
CMAJ • March 14, 2006
© 2006 CMA Media Inc. or its licensors
donor management guidelines; and material from related
conferences and workshops)
• To develop expert consensus recommendations for organ-
protective therapies in the ICU and intraoperative manage-
ment of the organ donor
• To develop expert consensus recommendations for the
CCDT, Canadian Society of Transplantation, Canadian
Critical Care Society, Canadian Association of Transplan-
tation and other relevant organizations and groups
• To develop a mechanism to involve both critical care and
transplant communities in reviewing and updating the ex-
pert consensus recommendations as therapies evolve
• To disseminate the forum findings based on current un-
derstanding of knowledge transfer in Canada
• To develop recommendations for future research in this
evolving field.
The participants were health care professionals from 27 organ-
izations, including specialists in adult and pediatric critical
care, physician and surgeon specialists in adult and pediatric
organ-specific transplantation, neurologists, neurosurgeons,
anesthetists, emergency medicine physicians, nurses and nurse
practitioners. A working group of health administrators, poli-
cymakers and donation–transplant agencies also provided in-
put on logistic barriers and supports and knowledge transfer in
support of effective medical management of organ donors.
Discussions focused on collaborative, consensus-based
decision-making at a national, strategic level.
These guidelines are aimed principally at physicians (or
their delegates) who are involved in the management of organ
donors in the ICU and operating room setting. The following
5 areas were addressed:
• Multisystem management of multi-organ donors
• Organ-specific considerations for hearts, lungs and intra-
abdominal organs
• Other systemic challenges
• Potential questions for a national research agenda to opti-
mize donor organ management
• Logistic and knowledge transfer considerations related to
disseminating and implementing the forum's recommen-
dations.
Process
Substantive background documents, provided by the steering
committee in advance of the forum included comprehensive
• 174(6) | S13
literature reviews and related practice surveys. During the fo-
rum, each of the 5 areas was addressed using the following
process. Presentations by experts were followed by open ple-
nary discussions. Participants then worked in small groups
guided by worksheets that provided a description of current,
well-accepted care in the Canadian context (based on a review
of donor management guidelines in effect in Canadian health
care facilities1); a summary of existing scientific evidence; key
considerations; a summary of national and international
donor management guidelines; and a list of references.
The small-group discussions focused on specific ques-
tions related to the processes of care. The Forum Recommen-
dations Group (FRG) and the Pediatric Recommendations
Group (PRG) met to review the results of the small-group and
plenary discussions and develop recommendations for adults
and children, which were then presented for discussion in a
plenary session. Participants' input related to research ques-
tions was gathered and summarized (Appendix 1). The Logis-
tics and Knowledge Transfer (LKT) Group considered issues
related to the logistics and knowledge transfer that were iden-
tified during the forum (Appendix 2).
Overarching themes
Several overarching themes were identified during discussions:
• Prospective research is needed to improve the basis for lev-
els of evidence used by experts to develop consensus on
standards of care. Most existing evidence in the area of
donor management is based on retrospective, uncon-
trolled and observational studies.
• As a result of uncontrolled intracranial hypertension and
herniation, the organ donor has a distinct pathophysiology.
• Temporal changes in multi-organ function after NDD de-
mand flexibility in identifying the optimal time of procure-
ment. Participants recognized that:
- resuscitation of the cardiopulmonary system benefits
function of all organs
- it is important to take time in the ICU to optimize
multi-organ function to improve transplant outcomes
- reversible organ dysfunction may be addressed with ag-
gressive resuscitation and frequent re-evaluation
- once organ function is optimized, surgical procure-
ment should be arranged emergently.
• A 4-centre Canadian review of heart and lung utilization2
identified potential deficits in the process of obtaining con-
sent for donation of individual organs, the offering of organs
and the utilization of offered organs. The forum recom-
mends that there be no predefined demographic factor or or-
gan dysfunction that precludes provision of consent for indi-
vidual organs or the offering of organs for transplantation.
• Final decisions about transplantability rest with the indi-
vidual transplant programs represented by the organ-spe-
cific transplant doctors.
• Any initiatives aimed at improving donor organ potential
should be evaluated not only in terms of increases in organ
utilization, but also in terms of corresponding transplant
outcomes.
• ICU-transplant collaboration in this field involves ensur-
CMAJ • March 14, 2006
ing reciprocal accountability by procurement and trans-
plant services if available organs are not ultimately used.
Multisystem management of the
multi-organ donor
Standing orders for donor management are summarized in
Appendix 3.
1. Systemic arterial hypertension related to
intracranial pressure
Recommendation 1.1: Thresholds and preferred
therapy
We recommend that arterial hypertension after neurological
determination of death (NDD) be treated according to the fol-
lowing:
Thresholds:
• Systolic blood pressure > 160 mm Hg and/or
• Mean arterial pressure > 90 mm Hg
Preferred therapy:
• Nitroprusside, 0.5–5.0 µg/kg per minute and/or
• Esmolol, 100–500 µg/kg bolus followed by 100–300 µg/kg
per minute
Infusions should be titrated until the desired clinical effect is
achieved.
Existing Canadian practice
Significant variation in practice.
Key considerations
• There is a need to distinguish between acute intracranial
pressure-related autonomic storm and arterial hyperten-
sion that may occur during herniation but before NDD.
This period of care was not considered by this forum.
• Given evolving changes and risk of deterioration in cardiovas-
cular function after NDD, short-acting agents are preferable.
• Alternative agents include:
- nitroglycerin (e.g., to reduce the potential risk of coro-
nary steal compared with nitroprusside)
- labetolol is more commonly available and used in clini-
cal practice than esmolol; however, there are concerns
regarding its prolonged biologic half-life (4–6 h).
• Hypertension in the setting of vasopressor use or inotropic
support is an indication for decreasing support rather than
initiating antihypertensives.
2. Cardiovascular performance, monitoring and
hemodynamic support
Overall considerations
The deterioration of cardiovascular function associated with
intracranial hypertension, characterized by the sympathetic
storm resulting in neurogenic myocardial dysfunction3 and
• 174(6) | S14
intense vasoconstriction followed by sympathetic depletion,
and vasodilatation4 will vary with
• Rapidity of rise of intracranial pressure5
• Time after herniation
• Etiology of brain injury (e.g., traumatic myocardial contu-
sion, ischemia after cardiac arrest or shock, hypoxemia).
It is recognized that intensivists titrate cardiovascular ther-
apy to clinical, biochemical and hemodynamic end points
that ensure restoration of intravascular volume status without
hypervolemia and provide appropriate support of the myo-
cardium and vascular system to ensure optimal cardiac out-
put for organ perfusion.
The initiation of cardiovascular support assumes that pa-
tients will have been restored to normovolemia.
Evaluation of cardiocirculatory status requires assessment
of multiple variables. No single measurement or one value in
isolation should determine therapy.
Escalation of support should be accompanied by escala-
tion of hemodynamic monitoring.
Although these targets serve as guidelines for therapy,
rigid adherence to numbers should be balanced by the overall
evaluation of cardiovascular status by experienced clinicians.
Cardiovascular support should be based on rational physi-
ology. Pure vasopressors (vasopressin, phenylephrine)
should be distinguished from vasopressors with beta-agonist
inotropic action (norepinephrine, epinephrine). Beta-agonist
therapy should be used with caution in potential heart
donors, given concerns about myocardial adenosine triphos-
phate (ATP) depletion and downregulation of beta-receptors.6
If the heart is being considered for donation, dopamine or its
equivalent should not be administered at a rate higher than 10
µg/kg per minute.
Existing Canadian practice
The following were identified as areas of well-accepted prac-
tice and endorsed a priori:
• Standard monitoring: arterial line, central venous line, 12-
lead electrocardiogram
• Hemodynamic targets include:
- mean arterial pressure ≥ 70 mm Hg
- systolic blood pressure ≥ 100 mm Hg
- heart rate 60–120 beats per minute
central venous pressure 6–10 mm Hg (normovolemia).
• Standard inotropic support includes dopamine ≤ 10 µg/kg
per minute (or equivalent).
Recommendation 2.1: Monitoring of central or
mixed venous oxygen saturation
Monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation is indicated in
patients with ongoing hemodynamic instability. Hemody-
namic therapy should be tailored to reach a target of ≥ 60%
saturation.
Existing Canadian practice
Data not available.
CMAJ • March 14, 2006
Key considerations
• Serial trends are more useful than single measurements.
• Mixed venous oximetry may be determined by sampling
intermittently from the pulmonary artery or continuously
via oximetric catheters.
• Tissue oxygen extraction has not been well studied in pa-
tients declared neurologically dead. Low values may reflect
reduced oxygen delivery; however, high values in the face
of arrested neurological function or arrested brain circula-
tion may not be interpreted reliably.
• Central venous oximetry is not well studied in patients de-
clared neurologically dead.
Recommendation 2.2: Lactate monitoring
We recommend that serial lactate measurements be per-
formed in all patients. In the presence of elevated or rising
lactate levels, we recommend investigations to determine eti-
ology.
Existing Canadian practice
Data not available.
Key consideration
Decreasing lactate levels reflect improvements in oxygen de-
livery.
Recommendation 2.3: Indications for pulmonary
artery catheterization
We recommend pulmonary artery catheterization (PAC)
when:
• 2-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of ejection
fraction is ≤ 40% or
• Patients require
- dopamine (> 10 µg/kg per minute) or equivalent
- vasopressor support (where vasopressin is not included
as part of hormone therapy) and/or
- an escalation of supports.
PAC hemodynamic targets are: pulmonary capillary wedge pres-
sure (PCWP) 6–10 mm Hg; cardiac index > 2.4 L/minute-m2; sys-
temic vascular resistance (SVR): 800–1200 dynes/s-cm5; left ven-
tricular stroke work index (LVSWI) > 15 g/kg-minute.
Existing Canadian practice
Significant variation in practice.
Key considerations
• “Vasopressor” refers to a vasoconstricting agent.
• Although use of PAC in adult intensive care practice is de-
creasing, the organ donor has a distinct pathophysiology.
• Justifications for PAC are not limited to the precise titration
of hemodynamic support but are also required for the eval-
uation of suitability for heart and lung transplantation.7
• Two-dimensional echocardiography is primarily indicated
to evaluate cardiac function and the suitability of the heart
• 174(6) | S15
 for transplantation. The role of single or serial echocardio-
graphy in the assessment of cardiac function as a guide to
hemodynamic therapy in the unstable organ donor is not
well established.
Recommendation 2.4: First-line agents for
hemodynamic support — vasopressin
We recommend that vasopressin be used for hemodynamic
support when vasopressor agents are indicated. The maxi-
mum dose should be 2.4 U/h (0.04 U/minute).
Existing Canadian practice
Significant variation in practice.
Key considerations
• Vasopressin is a special agent because it can be used in a
variety of applications, i.e., hemodynamic vasopressor sup-
port, diabetes insipidus therapy and hormonal therapy.
• Standardization of dosing units is required.
• Weaning of catecholamine support is the first approach to
treating arterial hypertension in patients on vasopressin.
Recommendation 2.5: Second-line agents for
hemodynamic support — norepinephrine,
epinephrine and phenylephrine
We recommend the use of norepinephrine, epinephrine
and/or phenylephrine for hemodynamic support. Doses
should be titrated to achieve clinical effect, with no predeter-
mined upper limit.
Existing Canadian practice
Significant variation in practice.
Key consideration
Escalation of doses of catecholamines should be guided by
PAC data. Doses beyond 0.2 µg/kg per minute of any of these
agents should be used with caution.
3. Glycemia and nutrition
Recommendation 3.1: Glycemic control
We recommend glucose control with insulin infusions
titrated to achieve a blood glucose level of 4–8 mmol/L.
Existing Canadian practice
Significant variation in practice.
Key consideration
The use of insulin should not be misinterpreted as a form of
insulin dependence that might preclude islet cell transplanta-
tion. If clarification is required, hemoglobin (HgB) A1C levels
should be measured under these circumstances.
CMAJ • March 14, 2006
Recommendation 3.2: Nutrition
• Intravenous (IV) dextrose infusions should be given rou-
tinely.
• Routine enteral feeding should be initiated or continued
as tolerated and discontinued on call to the operating
room.
• Parenteral nutrition should not be initiated; however,
where it has been initiated, it should be continued.
Existing Canadian practice
Data not available.
Key considerations
None.
4. Diabetes insipidus and hypernatremia
Existing Canadian practice
The following were identified as areas of well-accepted prac-
tice and endorsed a priori:
• Serum sodium target range is 130–150 mmol/L.
• Urine output target range is 0.5–3 mL/kg per h (in adults
and children).
• Diabetes insipidus can be defined as urine ouptut > 4 mL/kg
per h in adults and children
- Associated with rising serum sodium (≥ 145 mmol/L)
- Associated with rising serum osmolarity (≥ 300 mosM)
and decreasing urine osmolarity (≤ 200 mosM).
• Doses of 1-desamino-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) for
diabetes insipidus
- adults: 1–4 µg IV then 1–2 µg IV every 6 h to achieve
urine output < 4 mL/kg/h
- children: 0.25–1 µg IV every 6 h to achieve urine output
< 4 mL/kg/h.
Recommendation 4.1: Diabetes insipidus
• Diabetes insipidus in isolation can be treated with contin-
uous IV vasopressin infusion ( ≤ 2.4 U/h) or intermittent
IV DDAVP
• Under the following circumstances, vasopressin infusion
should be the first choice:
- hemodynamic support with vasospressin required
- combination hormonal therapy implemented
• If required, DDAVP should be used as a supplement to va-
sopressin
• DDAVP does not have to be discontinued before proceed-
ing to the operating room.
Key consideration
DDAVP is an analog of AVP with a relatively pure antidiuretic
effect and negligible vasopressor activity.8 Upper limits of
DDAVP dosing are empirical. There is no clear upper limit for
DDAVP dose, as it should be titrated to achieve the desired ef-
fect of reducing urine output.
• 174(6) | S16
Recommendation 4.2: Hypernatremia
We recommend that hypernatremia be treated in all donors if
serum sodium levels are greater than 150 mmol/L.
Key consideration
Hypernatremia (serum sodium > 155 mmol/L) is independ-
ently associated with hepatic dysfunction and graft loss.9 In
addition to sodium control, calcium, phosphate, potassium
and magnesium levels should be empirically normalized.
5. Combined hormonal therapy
Recommendation 5.1: Thyroid hormone,
vasopressin and methylprednisolone
Combined hormonal therapy is defined as administration of
• Thyroid hormone (tetraiodothyronine or T4), 20 µg IV bo-
lus followed by 10 µg/h IV infusion
• Vasopressin, 1 U IV bolus followed by 2.4 U/h IV infusion
• Methylprednisolone, 15 mg/kg IV every 24 h.
We recommend that combined hormonal therapy be used in
donors with an ejection fraction ≤ 40%, based on 2-dimen-
sional echocardiographic assessment, or hemodynamic insta-
bility. Consideration should be given to its use in all donors.
Existing Canadian practice
Significant variation in practice.
Key considerations
• Hemodynamic instability includes shock unresponsive to
attempts to restore normovolemia and requiring vasoactive
support (dopamine > 10 µg/minute) or any vasopressor.
• Weight of currently available evidence in a large retrospec-
tive cohort study by the United Network for Organ Sharing
(UNOS)10 in the United States suggests a substantial bene-
fit of triple hormone therapy with minimal risk. A multi-
variate logistic regression analysis of 18 726 brain-dead
donors showed significant increases in kidney, liver and
heart utilization from donors receiving 3 hormonal thera-
pies. Significant improvements in 1-year kidney graft sur-
vival and heart transplant patient survival were also
demonstrated. A prospective randomized trial has not
been performed.
• As peripheral tissue conversion of T4 into triiodothryonine
(T3) may be impaired in organ donors and in those on cor-
ticosteroids, intravenous T3 may be preferred but is not
commercially available in Canada at this time. Intravenous
T4 and enteral T3 are currently available.
• In the UNOS patients receiving hormone therapy,10 T4 was
used in 93% and T3 in 6.9% of cases, but numbers were
insufficient to discriminate any benefit of T3 over T4.
• When administered by continuous infusion, the bioavail-
ability of intravenous T4 may be affected by its stability in
solution and potential adherence to plastic tubing resulting
from its hydrophobic nature. The quantitative impact of
this pharmacologic concern is unclear. Alternatively, intra-
CMAJ • March 14, 2006
venous T4 may be given as follows: 100 ug IV bolus fol-
lowed by 50 ug IV q12h. Should future data show a benefit
of intravenous T3 over T4, the Canadian Health Protection
Branch should be lobbied to make intravenous T3 therapy
available in Canada for this indication.
• Absorption and pharmacokinetic data on enteral T3 in or-
gan donors is required before its use can be recommended.
• Vasopressin should be initiated at a fixed rate. If arterial
hypertension ensues, catecholamines should be weaned
before decreasing the vasopressin infusion rate.
Recommendation 5.2: Corticosteroids and lung
protection
We recommend that methylprednisolone be administered in-
travenously to all donors at a dose of 15 mg/kg every 24 h; this
is to be initiated following NDD.
Existing Canadian practice
Methylprednisolone is administered to potential lung donors
at the dose of 15 mg/kg IV (maximum dose 1 g).
Key consideration
Corticosteroid therapy is currently indicated as the immune
modulating therapy for potential lung donors11 but protocols
for administration of corticosteroids are non-uniform.
6. Transfusion thresholds
Recommendation 6.1: Acceptable targets for
hemoglobin, platelets and coagulation parameters
• A target hemoglobin level of 90–100 g/L is most appropri-
ate to optimize cardiopulmonary function in the face of he-
modynamic instability. A level of 70 g/L is the lowest ac-
ceptable limit for management of stable donors in the ICU.
• There are no defined targets for platelet concentration, in-
ternational normalized ratio or partial thromboplastin
time. Platelet or plasma factor replacement is indicated for
clinical bleeding only.
• Blood drawing for donor serology and tissue typing
should occur before transfusions to minimize the risk of
false results related to hemodilution.
• No special transfusion precautions are required in organ
donors.
Existing Canadian practice
Significant variation in practice.
Key considerations
• Red blood cell transfusions can be associated with inflam-
matory activation related to the age of the blood.
• Consider the crystalloid sparing effect of red cell transfu-
sions in potential lung donors with alveolar-capillary leak.
• Invasive procedures associated with bleeding risk may re-
• 174(6) | S17
 quire correction of thrombocytopenia and coagulation
status.
• Intraoperative transfusion of red blood cells, platelets and
plasma factors by anesthetists and the transplant team
should be individually tailored.
• In Canada, blood is routinely depleted of leukocytes and
the risk of transmission of cytomegalovirus (CMV) is neg-
ligible. It is not necessary to give CMV-negative blood to
CMV-negative donors.
7. Invasive bacterial infections
Recommendation 7.1: Daily blood cultures
• An initial baseline blood culture should be carried out for all
donors and repeated after 24 h and on an as-needed basis.
• Positive blood cultures or confirmed infections are not
contraindications to organ donation
- Antibiotic therapy should be initiated in cases of proven
or presumed infection. Duration of therapy depends on
the virulence of the organism and decisions should be
made in consultation with the transplant team and in-
fectious disease services.
- No minimum duration of therapy before organ pro-
curement can be defined at this time.
Existing Canadian practice
Standard care includes urine and endothracheal tube aspirate
cultures.
Key considerations
None.
Recommendation 7.2: Broad-spectrum antibiotics
• Empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics are not indicated dur-
ing ICU care of the organ donor.
• Decisions regarding use of perioperative antibiotics
should be at the discretion of the surgical team.
Existing Canadian practice
Data not available.
Key considerations
None.
Organ-specific considerations: heart, lungs
and intra-abdominal organs
8. Heart
Existing Canadian practice
The following was identified as well-accepted practice and
endorsed a priori.
CMAJ • March 14, 2006
• Potential cardiac donors undergo routine screening by
electrocardiogram and 2-dimensional echocardiography.
Recommendation 8.1: Initial evaluation of cardiac
function
If the initial evaluation of cardiac function reveals an ejection
fraction of ≤ 40% based on 2-dimensional echocardiographic
assessment, the optimum course is to insert a pulmonary ar-
tery catheter and institute therapy to achieve the PAC hemody-
namic targets listed in Recommendation 2.3.
Key considerations
• Achieving PAC targets has been linked to favourable trans-
plant outcomes.7,12
• Initial echocardiography for heart donor evaluation should
be performed only after hemodynamic resuscitation. Re-
peat echocardiography should be considered after 6 h.
There is a need for prospective study of the utility of serial
echocardiography.
• Justifications for PAC are not limited to precision of hemo-
dynamic support, but are also required for the evaluation of
suitability for heart and lung transplantation. Transplant de-
cision-making should reflect these recommendations. An
abnormal 2-dimensional echocardiogram followed by
favourable hemodynamic data by PAC is an acceptable as-
sessment and does not require follow-up echocardiography.
• PAC is recommended when appropriate technical and in-
terpretive expertise is available.
Recommendation 8.2: Troponin levels
We recommend the measurement of troponin (either I or T)
levels every 12 h as standard monitoring to obtain both clini-
cal and prognostic information.
Key consideration
Troponin levels should not be used in isolation as the basis to
reject hearts for transplantation.
Recommendation 8.3: Coronary angiography
• We recommend that the following donor characteristics
be indications for coronary angiography:
- male > 55 years of age or female > 60 years
- male > 40 years of age or female > 45 years in the pres-
ence of 2 risk factors (see “Key considerations”)
- presence of 3 or more risk factors at any age
- history of cocaine use.
• If the hospital has angiography facilities and indications
for angiography are present, an angiogram should always
be performed to document coronary anatomy to assist in
decision-making.
• There should be no absolute threshold for coronary lumi-
nal obstruction; decisions should be made in the context
of the recipient status, heart function and the potential to
intervene through coronary artery bypass grafting or per-
cutaneous coronary intervention (e.g., stent).
• 174(6) | S18
• The inability to perform an angiogram should not pre-
clude transplantation. Where coronary angiography is not
available, cardiac donor organ suitability should still be
considered in the following circumstances:
- ejection fraction of > 40% on 2-dimensional echocar-
diographic assessment or
- hemodynamic stability or
- surgical inspection at the time of procurement.
• The option of patient transfer to a procurement hospital
with angiogram capabilities should be considered on a
case-by-case basis with full consent of the donor family.
Key considerations
• Cardiovascular risk factors for coronary artery disease that
have an impact on transplant outcomes include13,14
- smoking
- hypertension
- diabetes
- hyperlipidemia
- body mass index > 32
- family history of the disease
- prior history of coronary artery disease
- ischemia on electrocardiogram
- anterolateral regional wall motion abnormalities on
echocardiogram
- 2-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of ejec-
tion fraction of ≤ 40%.
• To minimize the risk of contrast nephropathy:
- normovolemia should be ensured
- N-acetylcysteine should be given prophylactically at
doses of 600–1000 mg enterally twice daily, with the
first dose administered as soon as it is recognized that
angiography is indicated. Alternatively N-acetylcysteine
may be administered intravenously at 150 mg/kg in
500 mL normal saline over 30 minutes immediately be-
fore contrast agent, followed by 50 mg/kg in 500 mL of
normal saline over 4 h.
- angiograms should be performed with a low-risk ra-
diocontrast agent (non-ionic, iso-osmolar), using
minimum radiocontrast volume and without a ven-
triculogram.
9. Lungs
For recommendations related to corticosteroids and lung
protection, see Recommendation 5.2.
Existing Canadian practice
The following were identified as areas of well-accepted prac-
tice and endorsed a priori:
• Pulse oximetry, serial arterial blood gas monitoring, endo-
tracheal tube suctioning, chest radiography, bron-
choscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage.
• Mechanical ventilation with the following targets:
- fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio2) titrated to keep oxy-
gen saturation ≥ 95% and partial pressure of arterial
oxygen (PaO2) ≥ 80 mm Hg
CMAJ • March 14, 2006
- pH: 7.35–7.45, PaCO2: 35–45 mm Hg
- Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP): 5 cm H2O.
Recommendation 9.1: Oxygenation impairment
In cases where the partial pressure of arterial oxygen/fraction
of inspired oxygen (P/F) ratio is < 300, we recommend that
• Positional rotation therapy should be routine and defined
as rotation to a lateral position every 2 h.
• Routine suctioning and physiotherapy should be standard
care.
• A positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 5 cm H2O is
recommended, but periodic increases of PEEP up to 15 cm
H2O is an acceptable form of alveolar recruitment.
• Sustained inflations (peak inspiratory pressure of 30 cm
H2O for 30–60 s) is an acceptable form of alveolar recruit-
ment.
• Diuresis to normovolemia should be initiated when indi-
cated.
Key considerations
• Evaluation of P/F ratio is performed when PEEP is 5 cm
H2O and Fio2 is 1.0.
• Recruitment maneuvers should be used periodically in all
donors regardless of P/F ratio and should continue
through the intraoperative period.
• Prone positioning is not recommended for either adult or
pediatric donors.
Recommendation 9.2: Lower limits for the P/F ratio
• There should be no predefined lower limit for the P/F ratio
that precludes transplantation.
• Timing of evaluation, temporal changes, response to alveo-
lar recruitment and recipient status should be considered.
• In cases of unilateral lung injury, pulmonary venous PO2
during intraoperative assessment is required to evaluate
contralateral lung function reliably.
Key considerations
None.
Recommendation 9.3: Optimum targets for tidal
volume and peak inspiratory pressure
We recommend that:
• Tidal volume be 8–10 mL/kg.
• The upper limit of peak inspiratory pressure be ≤ 30 cm
H2O.
Key consideration
Lung protective strategies are currently used in patients with,
or at risk of, acute respiratory distress syndrome, where pres-
sure-limited ventilation is defined by a peak inspiratory pres-
sure < 35 cm H2O and tidal volume of 6–8 mL/kg.15 Benefits
of these strategies apply to acute respiratory distress syn-
drome patients and corresponding data for organ donors are
not available.
• 174(6) | S19
Recommendation 9.4: Bronchoscopy and
antimicrobial therapy
• Bronchoscopy can be performed by the local hospital ex-
pert and reported to the responsible transplant surgeon.
• Antimicrobial therapy should be based on the results of
Gram staining or culture or suspected or confirmed bron-
chopneumonia.
• Empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics are not routinely indi-
cated, but may be used in donors at high risk of bronchop-
neumonia.
• Length of stay in the ICU is not an independent indication
for antimicrobial therapy.
Key considerations
• Technology should be developed to enable:
- remote review of bronchoscopy and chest radiographic
images
- 3-way communication among ICUs, organ procure-
ment organizations and transplant surgeons
• Nephrotoxic antimicrobials should be avoided when
possible.
10. Liver
Existing Canadian practice
The following was identified as an area of well-accepted prac-
tice and endorsed a priori:
• Potential liver donors are assessed for
- history of jaundice, hepatitis, excessive alcohol in-
gestion
- hepatic aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine
aminotransferase (ALT), bilirubin (direct and indirect
where available) and international normalized ratio
(INR) or prothrombin time (PT), repeated every 6 h
- serum electrolytes, creatinine, urea hepatitis B surface
antigen (HBsAg),
hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb), hepatitis C virus antibody
(HCVAb).
Recommendation 10.1: Upper limits of hepatic
aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine
aminotransferase (ALT)
We recommend that there be no upper limits for hepatic AST
and ALT that preclude liver transplantability. All livers
should be offered; decisions related to transplantability de-
pend on organ status, trends in liver function over time and
recipient status.
Key considerations
None.
Recommendation 10.2: Hepatic ultrasound
We recommend that there be no requirement for prospective
liver donors to undergo hepatic ultrasound.
CMAJ • March 14, 2006
Key considerations
None.
Recommendation 10.3: Indications for liver biopsy
We recommend the following indications for ultrasound-
guided percutaneous liver biopsy in the ICU before procure-
ment, in consultation with the liver transplant team, to enable
decisions about transplantability:
• Weight > 100 kg or body mass index > 30 or HCVAb posi-
tive donor and
• Distant procurement, i.e., when a procurement team is not
immediately available.
Intraoperative biopsy by the liver retrieval team is rec-
ommended in all other instances where liver biopsy is
indicated.
If the biopsy cannot be done in the ICU and indications for
biopsy exist, the liver should be offered and transplantation
should be at the discretion of the liver transplant team.
Key considerations
None.
11. Kidney
Existing Canadian practice
The following were identified as areas of well-accepted prac-
tice and endorsed a priori:
• A normal creatinine clearance rate (> 80 mL/minute/
1.73 m2) defines the optimum function threshold for
transplantation. However, an abnormal serum creatinine
level or calculated creatinine clearance rate in a donor does
not necessarily preclude use of the donor kidneys.
• Urinalysis is essential to rule out kidney abnormalities.
• Creatinine and serum urea (blood urea nitrogen) are meas-
ured every 6 h.
Recommendation 11.1: Creatinine clearance rate
We recommend that measurement of creatinine clearance
rate be based on the Cockroft–Gault equation; urine collec-
tion to measure creatinine clearance is not indicated.
Key consideration
There is no absolute contraindication to kidney donation
based on a serum creatinine level or creatinine clearance rate
alone.
Recommendation 11.2: Renal ultrasound
We recommend that renal ultrasound be performed on a
case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as a his-
tory of renal disease.
Key consideration
In general, there are no firm indications for renal ultrasound;
this investigation tends to yield little information.
• 174(6) | S20
Recommendation 11.3: Indications for kidney biopsy
We recommend that the following variables be considered in
determining the need for intraoperative kidney biopsy at the
time of procurement to enable decisions about trans-
plantability:
• Age > 65 years or a younger age with a history of any of the
following:
- creatinine level > 133 µmol/L
- hypertension
- diabetes
- abnormal urinalysis.
Key consideration
Histologic evaluation and assessing for glomerulosclerosis or
vasculopathy or both is required before excluding kidneys.
The biopsy should be performed intraoperatively at the time
of procurement, rather than in the ICU.
Other systemic challenges
12. Optimum time for organ procurement and deci-
sions regarding transplantability
Recommendation 12.1: Optimum time for organ
procurement
It is important to take the necessary time in the ICU to opti-
mize multi-organ function to improve transplant outcomes.
Reversible organ dysfunction can be improved with resuscita-
tion and re-evaluation. The treatment period can range from
12 to 24 h and should be accompanied by frequent re-evalua-
tion to demonstrate improvement in organ function toward
defined targets. Once organ function is optimized, surgical
procurement procedures should be arranged emergently.
Existing Canadian practice
In general, after neurological death has been declared and
consent to organ donation has been given, efforts are made to
complete donation logistics and initiate procurement as
quickly as possible.
Key considerations
• The existing paradigm of care should be adjusted in view
of the following situations that may be correctable or may
benefit from resuscitation and re-evaluation:
- myocardial or cardiovascular dysfunction
- oxygenation impairment related to potentially re-
versible lung injury
- invasive bacterial infections
- hypernatremia
- temporal trends in AST and ALT
- temporal trends in creatinine level
- any other potentially treatable situation.
• Extending the interval of donor care in the ICU to optimize
transplant outcomes should be factored into donation
CMAJ • March 14, 2006
consent discussions and should be consistent with the
wishes of the family or surrogate decision-maker.
Recommendation 12.2: Decisions regarding
transplantability
We recommend that there be no predefined demographic fac-
tor or organ dysfunction thresholds that preclude providing
consent for individual organs or offering organs for trans-
plantation and that:
• Consent be requested for all organs
• Within the context of existing legal and regulatory frame-
works, all organs be offered
• Ultimate decisions about transplantability rest with the in-
dividual transplant programs represented by the organ-
specific transplant doctors.
Existing Canadian practice
Significant variation in practice.
Key considerations
• Accountability for nonutilization of organs is required
from procurement and transplant services. The limited
data currently provided to the Canadian Organ Replace-
ment Register recording reasons for nonutilization of or-
gans are inadequate.
• Utilization of organs should be linked with corresponding
transplant graft and patient outcomes.
• Issues related to transmissible viruses or malignancy should
comply with existing Canadian standards and guidelines.16
13. Pediatric age-related adjustments
Recommendation 13: Pediatric age-related
adjustments
We recommend that Recommendations 1–12 be applied to in-
fants, children and adolescents with the following qualifica-
tions. (The numbers are those of the corresponding adult rec-
ommendations.)
Overarching
• The pediatric organ donor is defined as:
- newborn to 18 years and
- care provided within a pediatric ICU.
• Dosing recommendations apply to children ≤ 60 kg; for
children over 60 kg, adult dosing should apply.
1: Systemic arterial hypertension related to
intracranial pressure
Thresholds for treating arterial hypertension after NDD are:
Newborns–3 months > 90/60 mm Hg
> 3–12 months > 110/70 mm Hg
1–12 years > 130/80 mm Hg
> 12–18 years > 140/90 mm Hg
• 174(6) | S21
Cardiovascular performance, monitoring and hemo-
dynamic support
• Experienced pediatric intensive care practitioners adjust
therapies to general, rather than specific, age-related tar-
gets. For information purposes, a guide to age-related
norms for heart rate and blood pressure is provided under
“Key considerations” below.
2.1: Monitoring of central or mixed venous oxygen
saturation
drophobic nature. Adult practitioners have used up to
300–500 µg IV bolus for potential donors and this is stan-
dard dosing for myxedema coma. Given the wide dosing
range cited in the literature for IV T4 and the low risk of
toxicity for this current indication, the adult range — 20
µg IV bolus followed by 10 µg/h IV infusion — is also rec-
ommended for children.17 Alternatively, intravenous T4
may be given as follows: 50-100 µg IV bolus followed by
25–50 ug iv q12h.
8.1: Initial evaluation of cardiac function

• Central venous oximetry is currently used in many Cana-
dian pediatric ICUs as a monitoring technique in patients
with hemodynamic instability and is recommended for the
pediatric donor. Therapy should be titrated to a central ve-
nous oxygen saturation of ≥ 60%.
2.3:Indications for PAC
• The use of PAC is limited in pediatric ICU practice and is
not routinely recommended in pediatric donors. PAC may
be used at the discretion of the pediatric ICU practitioner
who is experienced with its application and interpretation.
• Serial echocardiography is the recommended method for
re-evaluating myocardial function for transplantation. Its
role as a potential tool to guide hemodynamic therapy
should be individually tailored.
2.4:First-line agents for hemodynamic support —
vasopressin
• Serial echocardiography is recommended to evaluate myo-
cardial function for the purposes of transplantation. The
initial echocardiogram should be performed only after sta-
bilization with adequate volume resuscitation.
• The echocardiogram should be repeated every 6–12 h un-
der the following conditions:
- initial 2 dimensional echocardiogram reveals an ejec-
tion fraction ≤ 40% or
- escalation of supports as defined by dopamine
> 10µg/kg per minute, the use of vasopressor agents or
both.
11.1: Creatinine clearance rate
• For children > 1 year of age, a normal creatinine clearance
rate is > 80 mL/minute/1.73 m2 , as estimated by the
Schwartz formula.18
11.3:Indications for kidney biopsy

• The pediatric dose range for vasopressin is 0.0003– • Creatinine level higher than normal for age.
0.0007 U/kg per minute (0.3–0.7 mU/kg minute) to a max-
imum dose of 2.4 U/h. Key considerations
See Table 1.
2.5:Second-line agents for hemodynamic support —
Norepinephrine, epinephrine and phenylephrine
Table 1: Age-related norms for heart rate and blood pressure

• In the absence of PAC data, hemodynamic therapy Age Heart Rate Systolic BP Diastolic BP
should be titrated to clinical and biochemical targets. beats/min (mm Hg) (mm Hg)

0–3 mo 100–150 65–85 45–55

4.1: Diabetes insipidus
3–6 mo 90–120 70–90 50–65

• The pediatric dose range for vasopressin is 0.0003– 6–12 mo 80–120 80–100 55–65
0.0007 U/kg per minute (0.3–0.7 mU/kg per minute) to a 1–3 yr 70–110 90–105 55–70
maximum dose of 2.4 U/h. 3-6 yr 65–110 95–110 60-75

5.1: Thyroid hormone, vasopressin and 6–12 yr 60–95 100–120 60–75

methylprednisolone > 12 yr 55–85 110–135 65–85

Adapted from: Mathers LH, Frankel LR. Stabilization of the Critically Ill Child.
• The pediatric dose range for vasopressin is 0.0003– Nelson textbook of pediatrics, 17th Edition, 2004.19

0.0007 U/kg per minute (0.3–0.7 mU/kg per minute) to a

maximum dose of 2.4 U/h.
• Intravenous T4: The precise dose range for IV T4 infusions
is not known and its biological effect when given by infu-
sion may be affected by its stability in solution and poten-
tial adherence to plastic tubing resulting from its hy-
This article has been peer reviewed.
From Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Montreal Children’s Hospital,
McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Que. (Shemie), Cardiac Trans-
plant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network (Ross),
GI Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Net-

CMAJ • March 14, 2006 • 174(6) | S22

work (Greig), General Surgery, ICU and Organ and Tissue Donation Pro-
gram, The Ottawa Hospital (Pagliarello), Trauma and Neurosurgery Inten-
sive Care Unit, St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
(Baker), Adult Critical Care, Foothills Hospital, Calgary, Alta. (Doig), Tril-
lium Gift of Life Network (Baker), Canadian Critical Care Society (Shemie,
Pagliarello, Baker, Doig, Guest), Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society
(Baker), Canadian Organ Replacement Register (Greig), Canadian Society of
Transplantation (Greig, Ross, Cockfield, Keshavjee, Rao, Nickerson), Cana-
dian Association of Transplantation (Brand, Young), Kidney Transplant Pro-
gram, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alta. (Cockfield), Toronto
Lung Transplant Program, University Health Network, University of Toronto,
Toronto, Ont. (Keshavjee), Immunogenetics Laboratory, University of Mani-
toba Health Services Centre, Winnipeg, Man. (Nickerson), Cardiac Trans-
plant Program, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto,
Ont. (Rao), Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrooke and
Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ont. (Guest), Canadian Council for Do-
nation and Transplantation (Shemie, Young, Doig), Saskatchewan Trans-
plant Program (Brand).
See Appendix 4 for a complete list of forum participants.
Competing interests: None declared for Sam Shemie, Heather Ross, Joe
Pagliarello, Andrew Baker, Tracy Brand, Sandra Cockfield, Shaf Keshavjee,
Peter Nickerson, Vivek Rao, Cameron Guest, Kimberly Young or Christopher
Doig. Paul Greig has received speaker's fees and travel assistance from Hoff-
mann La-Roche and Fujisawa Canada Inc. to attend meetings.
Acknowledgements: These recommendations have been endorsed by the
Canadian Critical Care Society, the Canadian Association of Transplantation,
the Canadian Society of Transplantation and the Canadian Council for Dona-
tion and Transplantation.
We acknowledge the Canadian Council for Donation and Transplanta-
tion for financial support to prepare and organize the forum; the collabora-
tion of the Canadian Critical Care Society, the Canadian Association of
Transplantation and the Canadian Society of Transplantation in holding the
forum; and the process consultation provided by Strachan-Tomlinson.
REFERENCES
1. Hornby K, Shemie SD. Donor organ management: survey of guidelines and eligibil-
ity criteria. Edmonton: Canadian Council for Donation and Transplantation; 2004.
2. Hornby K, Ross H, Keshavjee S, et al. Factors contributing to non-utilization of
heart and lungs after consent for donation: a Canadian multicentre study. Can J
Anaesth 2006; in press.
3. Tung P, Kopelnik A, Banki N, et al. Predictors of neurocardiogenic injury after sub-
arachnoid hemorrhage. Stroke 2004; 35(2):548-51.
4. Novitzky D. Detrimental effects of brain death on the potential organ donor.
Transplant Proc 1997;29:3770-2.
5. Shivalkar B, Van Loon J, Wieland W, et al. Variable effects of explosive or gradual
increase of intracranial pressure on myocardial structure and function. Circulation
1993;87(1):230-9.
CMAJ • March 14, 2006
6. D'Amico TA, Meyers CH, Koutlas TC, et al. Desensitization of myocardial beta-
adrenergic receptors and deterioration of left ventricular function after brain
death. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1995;110(3):746-51.
7. Wheeldon DR, Potter CD, Oduro A, et al. Transforming the “unacceptable” donor:
outcomes from the adoption of a standardized donor management technique. J
Heart Lung Transplant 1995;14(4):734-42.
8. Richardson DW, Robinson AG. Desmopressin. Ann Intern Med 1985;103(2):228-39.
9. Totsuka E, Dodson F, Urakami A, et al. Influence of high donor serum sodium lev-
els on early postoperative graft function in human liver transplantation: effect of
correction of donor hypernatremia. Liver Transpl Surg 1999;5(5):421-8.
10. Rosendale JD, Kauffman HM, McBride MA, et al. Hormonal resuscitation associ-
ated with more transplanted organs with no sacrifice in survival. Transplantation
2004;78(2) suppl 1:17.
11. Follette DM, Rudich SM, Babcock WD. Improved oxygenation and increased lung
donor recovery with high-dose steroid administration after brain death. J Heart
Lung Transplant 1998;17(4):423-9.
12. Hunt SA, Baldwin J, Baumgartner W, et al. Cardiovascular management of a po-
tential heart donor: a statement from the Transplantation Committee of the Ameri-
can College of Cardiology. Crit Care Med 1996;24(9):1599-601.
13. McGiffin DC, Savunen T, Kirklin JK, et al. A multivariable analysis of pretransplan-
tation risk factors for disease development and morbid events. J Thorac Cardiovasc
Surg 1995;109(6):1081-9.
14. Zaroff JG, Rosengard BR, Armstrong WF, et al. Consensus conference report max-
imizing use of organs recovered from the cadaver donor: cardiac recommenda-
tions. Circulation 2002;106(7):836-41.
15. Ventilation with lower tidal volumes as compared with traditional tidal volumes for
acute lung injury and the acute respiratory distress syndrome. The Acute Respira-
tory Distress Syndrome Network. N Engl J Med 2000;342(18):1301-8.
16. Cells, tissues, and organs for transplantation and assisted reproduction: general
requirements (Z900.1-03). Mississauga: Canadian Standards Association; 2003.
17. Rodriguez I, Fluiters E, Perez-Mendez LF, et al. Factors associated with mortality
of patients with myxoedema coma: prospective study in 11 cases treated in a single
institution. J Endocrinol 2004;180(2):347-50.
18. Schwartz GJ, Brion LP, Spitzer A. The use of plasma creatinine concentration for
estimating glomerular filtration rate in infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatr
Clin North Am 1987;34(3):571-90.
19. Mathers LH, Frankel LR. Stabilization of the critically ill child. In Behrman
RE,Kliegman RM,Jenson HB (editors). Nelson textbook of pediatrics (17th ed.).
Philadelphia: Saunders; 2004.
20. About knowledge transfer. Ottawa: Canadian Institutes of Health Research; 2005.
Available: www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/29418.html (accessed 1 Dec. 2005).
Correspondence to: Dr. Sam D. Shemie, Division of Pediatric
Critical Care, Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill University
Health Centre, Montréal, QC H3H 1P3;
sam.shemie@muhc.mcgill.ca
Reprint requests to: Ms. Kimberly Young, Canadian Council for
Donation and Transplantation, 1702–8215 112 Street, Edmonton
AB T6G 2C8; 780 409-5652; kimberly.young@ccdt.ca
• 174(6) | S23
Appendix 1: National research agenda

Forum participants concluded that there are significant limitations to existing clinical research in support of forum recommendations.
Participants encouraged the development of local and multi-centre research initiatives, as well as those at national and international
levels. The following potential research topics were collected during small-group discussions.
Topics amenable to survey methods
• A cross-sectional survey examining current practice in the cardiopulmonary support of donors, including hemodynamic targets and
supports, ventilation and lung recruitment strategies.
Topics amenable to observational studies
The following questions include survey methods, prospective and retrospective studies and database reviews:
• Contribution of serial echocardiography or dobutamine stress echocardiography to the evaluation of patients with reduced myocardial
function compared with PAC alone
• Effect of radiographic contrast exposure (during cerebral angiography or coronary angiography) on renal graft function
• Investigation of the factors that contribute to variability of organ utilization rates between centres and correlation to post-transplant
function
• Optimum vasopressor and inotrope combinations and the influence of delayed procurement on organ utilization
Topics amenable to non-randomized intervention studies
• Effect of serial lung recruitment maneuvers in organ donors on the PaO2/FiO2 ratio and lung procurement rates
• Pharmacologic studies of orally and intravenously administered T4 and T3 in humans, including kinetics, biological effects, optimum
dosing, peripheral conversion times and effect of corticosteroids
Topics amenable to simple randomized controlled clinical trials
• Does combined hormonal therapy improve hemodynamics, organ function or organ utilization?
• Do PAC and goal-directed therapy improve hemodynamics, organ function or organ utilization?
• Evaluating the use of prophylactic N-acetylcysteine to prevent constrast nephropathy and delayed graft function of deceased donor
kidneys

CMAJ • March 14, 2006 • 174(6) | S24

Appendix 2: Logistics and knowledge transfer

Optimizing donor management and organ utilization for transplantation requires widespread communication of the recommendations of
this forum combined with broad engagement of individuals and organizations across the health system. To address these interdependent
requirements, a Logistics and Knowledge Transfer (LKT) Group (see Appendix 4) met throughout the forum to address the question:
How can we ensure that the agreements developed at this forum are transferred into the field efficiently and
effectively so that improvements in medical management occur as soon as possible?
Members of the LKT group developed recommendations to address both logistic and knowledge transfer challenges in relation to clinical
practice and systemic change.
Logistics challenges
The LKT group discussed ways to facilitate the implementation of the guidelines (e.g., a standardized set of guidelines would promote
clinical excellence and lead to the creation of constructive hospital policies) and factors that would hinder their implementation (e.g.,
consideration of resource implications for extended stays in the ICU, reduced organ recovery options due to lack of access to operating
room time and a lack of a definition of what constitutes an organ procurement hospital). They made the following recommendations to
address the logistic issues that might hinder implementation of the guidelines:
• Prepare a cost–benefit analysis of donation, including implications for the health care system and quality-of-life issues.
• Monitor and report on the resolution of logistic challenges on an individual case basis with respect to their impact on optimum organ
utilization.
Knowledge transfer challenges
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) describe knowledge transfer as the process that transfers research results from
knowledge producers to knowledge users for the benefit of Canadians.20 It comprises three interlinked components:
• Knowledge exchange
• Knowledge synthesis
• Ethically sound application of knowledge.
The goal of knowledge transfer is to improve health processes, services and products as well as the health care system itself.
Members of the LKT group made the following recommendations (alphabetical order) to maximize knowledge transfer and enhance
organ utilization:
• Develop policies to guide the donation process that clearly identify roles and responsibilities for health care professionals (e.g.,
incorporation of the recommendations of this forum into standard operating procedures at organ procurement organizations and
hospitals).
• Encourage national and international exchange of information to advance knowledge and care within and beyond Canada.
• Ensure that allocation issues do not complicate utilization, resulting in unused organs.
• Include the identification of potential organ and tissue donors as part of high-quality end-of-life care to maximize organ utilization.
• Provide health care professionals with ongoing education and skill development in support of high-quality care for donors and their
families. Develop quick reference tools for protocols and guidelines.
• Support the implementation of the forum’s recommendations in organizations and institutions affiliated with the forum.
• Support initiatives to enhance reporting and accountability. Encourage standardization of data and terminology both nationally and
internationally. Develop high-quality measurements that reflect directly on the donation process, including identification of donors,
requests for consent, giving consent and utilization of organs.

CMAJ • March 14, 2006 • 174(6) | S25

Appendix 3: Standing orders for management of organ donors

It is important to take the necessary time in the ICU to optimize multi-organ function to improve transplant outcomes. Resuscitation and
re-evaluation can improve reversible organ dysfunction (myocardial and cardiovascular dysfunction, oxygenation impairment related to
potentially reversible lung injury, invasive bacterial infections, hypernatremia) and evaluate temporal trends in hepatic aspartate
aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine or any other potentially treatable situation. This treatment period
can range from 12 to 24 h and should be accompanied by frequent re-evaluation to demonstrate improvement in organ function toward
defined targets. Once organ function is optimized, surgical procurement procedures should be arranged emergently.
There are no demographic factors or organ dysfunction thresholds that preclude giving consent for donation and offering organs for
transplantation.
Adult donors
Standard • Urine catheter to straight drainage, strict intake and output
monitoring • Nasogastric tube to straight drainage
• Vital signs every hour
• Pulse oximetry, 3-lead ECG
• Central venous pressure
• Arterial line pressure
• Optional PAC
Laboratory • Arterial blood gases, electrolytes and glucose every 4 h and as needed
investigations • Complete blood count every 8 h
• Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine every 6 h
• Urine analysis
• AST, ALT, bilirubin (total and direct), INR (or PT) and PTT every 6 h
Hemodynamic General targets: heart rate 60–120 bpm, systolic blood pressure > 100 mm Hg, mean arterial pressure ≥ 70 mm Hg
monitoring • Fluid resuscitation to maintain normovolemia, central venous pressure 6–10 mm Hg
and therapy • If arterial blood pressure ≥ 160/90 mm Hg, then: Wean inotropes and vasopressors and, if necessary, start
- Nitroprusside: 0.5–5.0 µg/kg per minute or
- Esmolol: 100–500 µg/kg bolus followed by 100–300 µg/kg per minute
• Serum lactate every 2–4 h
• Mixed venous oximetry every 2–4 h; titrate therapy to MVO2 ≥ 60%
Agents for • Dopamine: ≤ 10 µg/kg per minute
hemodynamic • Vasopressin: ≤ 2.4 U/h (0.04 U/minute)
support • Norepinephrine, epinephrine, phenylephrine (caution with doses > 0.2 µg/kg/minute)
Indications for • 2-dimensional echo ejection fraction ≤ 40% and/or
PAC • Dopamine >10 µg/kg per minute (or equivalent) and/or
• Vasopressor support (not including vasopressin if part of hormone therapy) and/or
• Escalation of supports
Glycemia and • Routine intravenous dextrose infusions
nutrition • Initiate or continue enteral feeding as tolerated
• Continue parenteral nutrition if already initiated
• Initiate and titrate insulin infusion to maintain serum glucose level at 4–8 mmol/L
Fluid and • Urine output 0.5–3 mL/kg per h
electrolyte • Serum Na 130–150 mM
targets • Normal ranges for potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphate
Diabetes Defined as:
insipidus • Urine ouptut > 4 mL/kg per h associated with
• Rising serum sodium ≥ 145 mmol/L and/or
• Rising serum osmolarity ≥ 300 mosM and/or
• Decreasing urine osmolarity ≤ 200 mosM
Therapy (to be titrated to urine output ≤ 3 mL/kg per h):
• Intravenous vasopressin infusion at ≤ 2.4 U/h and/or
• Intermittent DDAVP, 1–4 µg IV then 1–2 µg IV every 6 h (there is no true upper limit for dose; should be titrated to
desired urine output rate)
Combined Defined as:
hormonal • Tetraiodothyronine (T4) : 20 µg IV bolus followed by 10 µg/h IV infusion (or 100 µg IV bolus followed by 50 µg IV every
therapy 12h)
• Vasopressin: 1 U IV bolus followed by 2.4 U/h IV infusion
• Methylprednisolone: 15 mg/kg (≤ 1 g) IV every 24 h
Indications:
• 2-dimensional echocardiographic ejection fraction ≤ 40% or
• Hemodynamic instability (includes shock, unresponsive to restoration of normovolemia and requiring vasoactive
support [dopamine > 10 µg/minute or any vasopressor agent])
• Consideration should be given to its use in all donors
continued on next page

CMAJ • March 14, 2006 • 174(6) | S26

Hematology • Optimum hemoglobin: 90–100 g/L; for unstable donors, lowest acceptable level is 70 g/L
• For platelets, INR, PTT, there are no predefined targets; transfuse in cases of clinically relevant bleeding
• No other specific transfusion requirements
Microbiology • Daily blood cultures
(baseline, • Daily urine cultures
daily and as • Daily endotracheal tube cultures
needed) • Administer antibiotics for presumed or proven infection
Heart-specific • 12-lead electrocardiogram
orders • Troponin I or T, every 12 h
• 2-dimensional echocardiography
- Should only be performed after fluid and hemodynamic resuscitation
- If ejection fraction ≤ 40% then, insert PAC and titrate therapy to the following targets:
• PCWP: 6–10 mm Hg
• Cardiac index: > 2.4 L/minute-m2
• SVR: 800–1200 dynes/s-cm5
• LVSWI: > 15 g/kg-minute
- PAC data are relevant for hemodynamic therapy and evaluation for suitability of heart transplantation independent of
echo findings
- Consider repeat echocardiography at 6–12 h intervals.
• Coronary angiography
Indications:
- History of cocaine use
- Male > 55 years or female > 60 years
- Male > 40 years or female > 45 years in the presence of 2 or more risk factors
- ≥ 3 risk factors at any age.
Risk factors:
- Smoking
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Hyperlipidemia
- Body mass index > 32
- Family history of the disease
- History of coronary artery disease
- Ischemia on electrocardiogram
- Anterolateral regional wall motion abnormalities on electrocardiogram
- 2-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of ejection fraction ≤ 40%
Precautions:
• Ensure normovolemia
• Administer prophylactic N-acetylcysteine, 600–1000 mg enterally twice daily (first dose as soon as angiography
indicated) or IV 150 mg/kg in 500 mL normal saline over 30 minutes immediately before contrast agent followed by
50 mg/kg in 500 mL normal saline over 4 h
• Use low-risk radiocontrast agent (non-ionic, iso-osmolar), using minimum radiocontrast volume, no ventriculogram
Lung-specific • Chest radiograph every 24 h and as needed
orders • Bronchoscopy and Gram staining and culture of bronchial wash
• Routine endotracheal tube suctioning, rotation to lateral position every 2 h
• Mechanical ventilation targets:
- Tidal volume : 8–10 mL/kg, PEEP: 5 cm H2O, PIP: ≤ 30 cm H2O
- pH: 7.35–7.45, PaCO2: 35–45 mm Hg, PaO2: ≥ 80 mm Hg, O2 saturation: ≥ 95%
• Recruitment maneuvers for oxygenation impairment may include:
- Periodic increases in PEEP up to 15 cm H2O
- Sustained inflations (PIP at 30 cm H2O times 30–60 s)
- Diuresis to normovolemia
Pediatric organ donors
These orders apply to newborns to 18 year olds and are intended for care provided within a pediatric ICU. Dose recommendations apply to
children ≤ 60 kg; for children > 60 kg, adult dosing should apply.

Standard • Urine catheter to straight drainage, strict intake and output

monitoring • Nasogastric tube to straight dainage
• Vital signs every hour
• Pulse oximetry, 3-lead electrocardiogram
• Central venous pressure
• Arterial line pressure
Laboratory • Arterial blood gases, electrolytes and glucose every 4 h and as needed
investigations • Complete blood count every 8 h
• Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine every 6 h
• Urine analysis
• AST, ALT, bilirubin (total and direct), INR (or PT) and PTT every 6 h
continued on next page

CMAJ • March 14, 2006 • 174(6) | S27

Hemodynamic General targets: Age-related norms for pulse and blood pressure
monitoring • Fluid resuscitation to maintain normovolemia, central venous pressure 6–10 mm Hg
and therapy • Age-related treatment thresholds for arterial hypertension:
Newborns – 3 months > 90/60 mm Hg
> 3–12 months > 110/70 mm Hg
1–12 years > 130/80 mm Hg
> 12–18 years > 140/90 mm Hg
• Wean inotropes and vasopressors and, if necessary, start
– nitroprusside: 0.5–5.0 µg/kg per minute or
– esmolol: 100–500 µg/kg bolus followed by 100–300 µg/kg per minute
• Serum lactate every 2–4 h
• Central venous oximetry every 2—4 h: titrate therapy to central venous oxygen saturation of ≥ 60%
Agents for • Dopamine: ≤ 10 µg/kg per minute
hemodynamic • Vasopressin: 0.0003–0.0007 U/kg per minute (0.3–0.7 mU/kg/minute) to a maximum dose of 2.4 U/h
support • Norepinephrine, epinephrine, phenylephrine (caution with doses > 0.2 µg/kg per minute)
Glycemia and • Routine intravenous dextrose infusions
nutrition • Initiate or continue enteral feeding as tolerated
• Continue parenteral nutrition if already initiated
• Initiate and titrate insulin infusion to maintain serum glucose level at 4–8 mmol/L
Fluid and • Urine output: 0.5–3 mL/kg per h
electrolyte • Serum sodium: 130–150 mM
targets • Normal ranges for potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphate
Diabetes Defined as:
insipidus • Urine output > 4 mL/kg per h associated with
• Rising serum sodium ≥ 145 mmol/L and/or
• Rising serum osmolarity ≥ 300 mosM and/or
• Decreasing urine osmolarity ≤ 200 mosM
Therapy (to be titrated to urine output ≤ 3 mL/kg per h):
• Intravenous vasopressin infusion: 0.0003–0.0007 U/kg per minute (0.3–0.7 mU/kg per minute) to a maximum dose of
2.4 U/h and/or
• Intermittent DDAVP: 0.25–1 µg IV every 6 h (there is no true upper limit for dose; should be titrated to desired urine
output rate)
Combined Defined as:
hormonal • Tetraiodothyronine (T4): 20 µg IV bolus followed by 10 µg/h IV infusion (or 50–100 µg IV bolus followed by 25–50 µg IV
therapy every 12h)
• Vasopressin: 0.0003–0.0007 U/kg/minute (0.3-0.7 mU/kg per minute) to a maximum dose of 2.4 U/h
• Methylprednisolone: 15 mg/kg (≤ 1 g) IV every 24 h
Indications:
• 2-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of ejection fraction ≤ 40% or
• Hemodynamic instability (includes shock, unresponsive to restoration of normovolemia and requiring vasoactive
support [dopamine > 10 µg/minute or any vasopressor agent])
• Consideration should be given to its use in all donors
Hematology • Optimum hemoglobin: 90–100 g/L; for unstable donors, lowest acceptable level is 70 g/L
• For platelets, INR, PTT, there are no predefined targets; transfuse in cases of clinically relevant bleeding
• No other specific transfusion requirements.
Microbiology • Daily blood cultures
(baseline, daily • Daily urine culture
and as needed) • Daily endotracheal tube cultures
• Administer antibiotics for presumed or proven infection.
Heart-specific • 12-lead electrocardiogram
orders • Troponin I or T, every 12 h
• 2-dimensional echocardiography
- Should be performed only after fluid and hemodynamic resuscitation
- If ejection fraction ≤ 40% then repeat echocardiography at 6–12 h intervals
Lung-specific • Chest radiography every 24 h and as needed
orders • Bronchoscopy and bronchial wash gram stain and culture
• Routine endotracheal tube suctioning, rotation to lateral position every 2 h
• Mechanical ventilation targets:
- Tidal volume: 8–10 mL/kg, PEEP: 5 cm H20, PIP: ≤ 30 cm H2O
- pH: 7.35–7.45, PaCO2: 35–45 mm Hg, PaO2: ≥ 80 mm Hg, O2 saturation: ≥ 95%
• Recruitment maneuvers for oxygenation impairment may include:
- Periodic increases in PEEP up to 15 cm H2O
- Sustained inflations (PIP at 30 cm H2O times 30–60 s)
- Diuresis to normovolemia

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Appendix 4: Forum participants

Expert speakers: Expert speakers provided detailed presentations that were instrumental in the development of the recommendations in
this report. They are listed in the order in which they appeared on the agenda.

Multisystem management of multi-organ donors

Dr. Sam D. Shemie Challenge address, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill, University Health Centre,
Montréal, Que., and Honorary staff Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.,
and Canadian Council for Donation and Transplantation, Canadian Critical Care Society; Dr. Joe Pagliarello, Fundamentals of ICU-based
donor management, Medical Director, Adult Critical Care, Organ and Tissue Donation Program, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa,
Ottawa, Ont., and President-Elect, Canadian Critical Care Society; Mr. Kevin O’Connor, U.S. perspectives on donor management, Director
of Donation Services, New England Organ Bank, Newton, Mass.; Dr. Bruce Rosengard, International perspectives on donor management:
from Crystal City to Papworth, Professor and chair, Cardiothoracic Surgery Surgical Unit, Papworth Hospital, University of Cambridge,
Cambridge, United Kingdom, and International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, American Society of Transplantation, British
Heart Foundation; Dr. Dimitri Novitzky, The scientific rationale for hormonal therapy in the organ donor, Chief, Clinical Research, James A.
Haley Veterans Hospital, Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla.; Dr. Myron Kauffman, Hormonal
therapy and the impact on transplantability in the USA, Kidney Transplantation, United Network for Organ Sharing, Richmond, Va.;
Organ-specific considerations: hearts, lungs and intra-abdominal organs
Dr. Vivek Rao Organ-specific panel heart, Surgical Director, Cardiac Transplant, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto,
Ont., and Canadian Society of Transplantation; Dr. Shaf Keshavjee Organ-specific panel lungs, Director, Toronto Lung Transplant Program,
University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., and Canadian Society of Transplantation; Dr. Paul Greig Organ-specific
panel liver, Director, GI Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University of, Toronto, Toronto, Ont., and Canadian
Transplantation Society, Canadian Organ Replacement Register; Dr. Sandra Cockfield Organ-specific panel kidneys, Medical Director,
Kidney Transplant Program University of Alberta, Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta., and Canadian Society of
Transplantation;
Other systemic challenges
Ms. Kim Badovinac, Organ utilization from Canadian cadaveric donors: Canadian Organ Replacement Registry data, Consultant, Canadian
Institute for Health Information, Toronto, Ont., and Canadian Organ Replacement Registry; Dr. Heather Ross, Canadian multi-centre review
of heart and lung utilization, Medical Director, Cardiac Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ont., and President,
Canadian Society of Transplantation;
Forum Recommendations Group
Dr. Andrew Baker, Medical Director, Trauma and Neurosurgery ICU, St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., and Chair,
Clinical Advisory Committee, Trillium, Gift of Life Network, Canadian Critical Care Society, Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society; Ms. Tracy
Brand, Provincial Program Manager, Saskatchewan Transplant Program, Saskatoon, Sask., and President, Canadian Association of
Transplantation; Dr. Christopher Doig, Multisystems Intensive Care Unit, Foothills Hospital, Department of Critical Care, University of
Calgary , Calgary, Alta., and Chair, Donation Committee, Canadian Council for Donation and Transplantation, Canadian Critical Care
Society; Dr. Paul Greig, Director, GI Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University of, Toronto, Toronto, Ont., and Canadian
Transplantation Society, and Canadian Organ Replacement Register; Dr. Cameron Guest, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook
and Women’s College, Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., and Chief Medical Officer, Trillium Gift of Life
Network, Canadian Critical Care Society; Dr. Shaf Keshavjee, Director, Toronto Lung Transplant Program, University Health Network,
University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., and Canadian Society of Transplantation; Dr. Peter Nickerson, Director Immunogenetics Laboratory,
Canadian Blood Services, Health, Sciences Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man., and Canadian Society of Transplantation; Dr.
Joe Pagliarello, Medical Director, Adult Critical Care, Organ and Tissue Donation Program, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa,
Ottawa, Ont., and President-Elect, Canadian Critical Care Society; Dr. Vivek Rao, Surgical Director, Cardiac Transplant Program, University
Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., and Canadian Society of Transplantation; Dr. Heather Ross, Medical Director,
Cardiac Transplant Program, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., and President, Canadian Society of
Transplantation; Dr. Sam D. Shemie, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill, University Health Centre,
Montréal, Que., and Honorary staff, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.,
and Canadian Council for Donation and Transplantation, and Canadian Critical Care Society; Ms. Kimberly Young, Senior Policy Analyst,
Canadian Council for Donation and Transplantation, Secretariat, Health Canada, Edmonton, Alta., and Forum Project Manager, Medical
Management to Optimize Donor Organ Potential;
Pediatric Recommendations Group

Dr. Mary Bennett, Resident Training Director, Pediatric Critical Care, British Columbia, Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, BC, and Canadian Critical Care Society; Dr. David Creery, Director, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Children’s Hospital of Eastern,
Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont., and Canadian Critical Care Society; Dr. Anne Dipchand, Clinical Head, Heart Transplant
Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., and Canadian Society of Transplantation; Dr. Catherine
Farrell, Pediatric Intensivist, Chair, Organ Donation Committee, Division of Pediatric, Intensive Care, Hôpital Sainte-Justine, Université de
Montréal, Montréal, Que.,and Canadian Critical Care Society; Dr. Diane Hébert, Clinical Director, Pediatric Multi-organ Transplant Program,
Hospital for, Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., and Canadian Society of Transplantation; Ms. Karen Hornby, Critical Care
Nurse and Research Coordinator, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal,
Que., and Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses; Dr. Michel Lallier, Surgical Director, Transplantation, Hôpital Sainte-Justine,
University of Montreal, Montréal, Que., and Canadian Society of Transplantation; Dr. Sam D. Shemie, Division of Pediatric Critical Care,
Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill, University Health Centre, Montréal, Que., and Honorary staff, Department of Critical Care Medicine,
Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., and Canadian Council for Donation and Transplantation, and Canadian
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CMAJ • March 14, 2006 • 174(6) | S29

Critical Care Society; Dr. Lori West, Section Head, Heart Transplant Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto,
Ont., and Canadian Society of Transplantation; Ms. Kimberly Young, Senior Policy Analyst, Canadian Council for Donation and
Transplantation, Secretariat, Health Canada, Edmonton, Alta., and Forum Project Manager, Medical Management to Optimize Donor Organ
Potential
Logistics and Knowledge Transfer Group
Deborah Gordon (Chair), Senior Operating Officer, Capital Health, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alta.; Ms. Kim Badovinac,
Consultant, Canadian Institute for Health Information, Toronto, Ont., and Canadian Organ Replacement Registry; Mr. Bill Barrable, Provincial
Executive Director, British Columbia Transplant Society &, Research Institute, Vancouver, BC; Ms. Mance Cléroux, Executive Director,
Québec-Transplant, Montréal, Que., and Canadian Association for Transplantation; Mr. Thorsten Duebel, Acting Director, Canadian Council
for Donation and Transplantation, Secretariat, Edmonton, Alta.; Ms. Nora Johnston, Project Team Leader, Alberta Health and Wellness,
Edmonton, Alta.; Mr. Darwin Kealey, President and CEO, Trillium Gift of Life Network, Toronto, Ont.; Ms. Joyce MacMullen, Health Service
Manager, Critical Care/Organ Donation Coordinators, QE II, Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NS, and Canadian Association of Critical Care
Nurses; Mr. Burton Mattice, Vice-President/Chief Operating Officer, Carolina Donor Services, Durham, NC, Chair, Association of Organ
Procurement Organization Procurement Council; Ms. Ann Secord, Organ Procurement Officer, Health Services Branch, New Brunswick,
Department of Health and Wellness, Fredericton, NB
Other forum participants
Dana Baran, Medical Director, Quebec-Transplant, Transplant Nephrology, McGill, University Health Centre, Montréal, Que., and Canadian
Society of Transplantation; Jeffrey Barkun, Liver Transplantation, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Que., and
Canadian Society of Transplantation; Stephen Beed, Director of Critical Care, QE II Health Sciences Centre, Dalhousie, University, Halifax,
NS, and Canadian Critical Care Society, and Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Association; Karen Burns, London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria
Hospital, Health Research, Methodology Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont., and Canadian Critical Care Society, and Clinical
Scholar in Critical Care; David Clarke, Department of Neurosurgery, QE II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, N.S., and Canadian Neurosurgical
Society; Rosemary Craen, Director of Neuroanesthesia, London Health Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario, London, Ont., and
Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society; Marc Deschenes, Medical Director, Liver Transplantation, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal,
Que., and Canadian Society of Transplantation; Jan Emerton, Organ Donation Specialist, British Columbia Transplant Society, Vancouver, BC,
and Canadian Association of Transplantation; David Forrest, Associate Director (locum), ICU, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC,
and Canadian Critical Care Society; Peter Goldberg, Director, Intensive Care Services, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill, University Health
Centre, Montréal, Que., and Canadian Critical Care Society; Peter Gorman, New Brunswick Organ and Tissue Procurement Program Steering
Committee, Department of Neurosurgery, Southeast Regional Health, Authority, Moncton, NB; Mark Heule, Director of ICU, Misericordia
Hospital, Edmonton, Alta., and Canadian Critical Care Society; Dan Howes, Kingston General Hospital, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ont.,
and Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians; James Kutsogiannis, Physician Donation Leader, Capital Health, University of Alberta,
Edmonton, Alta., and Canadian Critical Care Society; Stéphan Langevin, Hôpital de L’enfant-Jesus, Laval University, Québec, Que., and
Canadian Critical Care Society, Quebec Intensivist Society; Joseph Lawen, Surgical Director, Kidney Transplant Program, QE II Health Science
Centre, Halifax, NS, and Canadian Society of Transplantation; Neil Lazar, Site Director, Toronto General Hospital, Medical Surgical Intensive
Care Unit, Adult Critical Care, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., and Canadian Critical Care Society; Michelle
Leahey, Critical Care Donor Coordinator, QE II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, N.S., and Canadian Association of Transplantation; Marie-
Hélène LeBlanc, Medical Director, Heart Failure and Heart Transplantation, Hôpital Laval, Université Laval, Ste-Foy, Que., and Canadian
Society of Transplantation; Dale Lien, Medical Director, Lung Transplant Program, University of Alberta Hospital, University of Alberta,
Edmonton, Alta., and Canadian Society of Transplantation; Karen McRae, Director of Anesthesia for, Thoracic Surgery and Lung
Transplantation, University Health Network, Toronto, Ont., and Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society; Joy Mintenko, Surgical ICU/Medical
Pediatric ICU, Regina General Hospital, Regina, Sask., and Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses; Terrance Myles, Canadian
Neurosurgical Society, Interim Director, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Calgary Medical School Calgary, AB; Clare Payne, Canadian
Association of Transplantation, Clinical Services Manager, Trillium Gift of Life Network, Toronto, Ont.; Sharon Peters, Canadian Critical Care
Society, Adult Critical Care, Health Care Corporation of St. John's, St. John’s, NL; Ann Secord, Organ Procurement Officer, Health Services
Branch, New Brunswick Department of Health and Wellness, Fredericton, NB; Michael Sharpe, Canadian Critical Care Society, Adult Critical
Care, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.; Susan Shaw, Canadian Critical Care Society, Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society, Medical
Director, ICU, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK; Ken Stewart, Canadian Society of Transplantation, Surgeon, Lung Transplantation,
University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB; Bernard Tremblay, Canadian Association of Transplantation, Clinical Procurement Coordinator,
Quebec-Transplant, Nurse Clinician - Organ and Tissue Donation, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, PQ; Helmut Unruh, Canadian
Society of Transplantation, Program Director, Manitoba Lung Transplant, University of Manitoba Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, MB;
Corinne Weernink, President-Elect, Canadian Association of Transplantation, Transplant Donor Coordinator, London Health Sciences Centre,
London, Ont.; Bryan Young, Canadian Neurocritical Care Group, Division of Neurology and Critical Care Medicine London Health Sciences
Centre, London, Ont.
Consultants
Strachan-Tomlinson and Associates Ottawa, Ont.; Facilitation: Dorothy Strachan, Research: Paul Tomlinson; Project management team:
Peter Ashley and Lisa Weiss

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